Alisa & Jonathan
Wedding Party
Alisa Brown
Bride
In the 5 years that we've been together - aka since our second first date - I feel like we've been through so much. I graduated from my undergraduate and Master's programs. Jonathan made a career change and started (and finished!) his computer science Master's program. We had lived in three different apartments all over Baltimore and we hope to find a more permanent residence after the wedding. We had actually hoped to get engaged two years sooner - when I first visited Paris in January of 2020, we had already been casually looking at engagement rings. Our plan was to visit New York City in May of 2020, kick some butt at our Taekwondo black belt exams and visit a jeweler that I really like. Unfortunately, the pandemic had other plans. We weren't able to go until June 2021 and Jonathan proposed 2 months later. On August 22, 2021, we went to a sunflower festival (my favorite flower). As we were walking through a field of giant sunflowers, I noticed a creepy guy in a hoodie taping us on a video camera. By the time I realized it was actually Benjamin, Jonathan's brother, Jonathan was on one knee and asked me to marry him.
Jonathan Merran
Groom
Five years may seem like a long time, but with Alisa, every moment has been special. It was Alisa who encouraged me to go to my first anime convention…and dress up as some of my favorite characters. For her Sorority Halloween party one year, we went together as Master Roshi and Launch! She also re-ignited my love for Pokémon when she enthusiastically wanted to wander the streets of Baltimore together and be the best like no one ever was. She made it easy to be myself. Not every moment was easy, however. Alisa completed her master’s program and meanwhile, I went through a career change, and started a master’s program in computer science. Working full time and studying certainly was draining. It was her love and support that helped me through the multiple all-nighters I would pull off to finish my assignments (and still be able to make it to work the next day)! Through our adventures we had started planning our life together. The pandemic may have slowed those plans down a bit, but on April 25th of 2021 (Alisa’s birthday), I revealed to her that I had booked us a weekend trip to New York city to visit a jewelry store to shop for engagement rings together. Two months later, Alisa and I went to a sunflower patch, where I packed into a small backpack our lunch for a picnic and the small emerald-green ring box containing the engagement ring. Next thing I knew I was on one knee, fumbling with the ring box and asking her to marry me.
Jennifer Schein
Maid of Honor
Alisa and I have been friends since she decided that we were going to be the summer before we started high school. We were at a pool party that both of our moms made us go too, and apparently she chose to talk to me because I looked like I also didn’t want to be there. Luckily, it didn’t take me long to realize that I definitely wanted to be friends with her too. Alisa and I have been close since high school, despite going to different high schools and colleges. I love watching her do anything she sets her mind to, especially if someone tells her she shouldn’t do it. Any person or animal that gets to have Alisa on their side is fortunate, as Jonathan knows 😉 Can’t wait to #eatdrinkbemerran and watch Alisa and Jonathan start their life together!
Benjamin Merran
Best Man
Jonathan and I have been best friends since 1993 (that happens to be there year I was born). How could I possibly pick one memorable moment above all? Our lives were shaped by each other's company and were basically joined at the hip until it came time for college. Jonathan has both figuratively and literally left his mark - the scars on my body have all come from him. It's okay, I survived, and some say they like the scars. Thank Jonny 😉 It really is impossible to pick one memory. We've played so many games with each other, through several generations of game consoles, laptops, and PCs. And the best of those moments came in many forms, from beating each other up over competitive Smash Brothers, to acting as co-pilot while Jonathan explores the RPG worlds of the Legend of Zelda or The Elder Scrolls. We also watched everything together. Perhaps one of the most memorable experiences, during a winter not so long ago, was when we took one of the parents' projectors to watch Rurouni Kenshin on the walls of our basement, eating roasted chestnuts and getting sucked into what was one of our favorite TV shows. Or maybe it was when we were home alone and binging One Piece on the WiiU while eating my avocado-topped oven roasted ground beef casserole. Yeah, it was gross, but that's part of what made the moment! The list of favorite moments could go on, so I'll stop here. And I know full well the list will continue to grow.
John del Toro
Bridesmaid
Alisa and I met my freshman year at Hopkins during our mutual love of community theater. I friendship quickly blossomed as we realized that we lived across the street from each other and loved cats to death. Our relationship reached new frightening heights when we both realized what massive nerds we were and quickly cemented our friendship by dressing up as anime characters to be gawked at. And from then on they have been my best sewing companion.
Taylor Eagles
Groomsman
Jon and I began our friendship a few years back after meeting through his younger brother Benjamin over a fun game of tennis. Reflecting over the many gatherings and celebrations since then, one stands out the most. We were attending Comic Con in Washington D.C. It was a blisteringly cold February afternoon, with pre-hurricane strength winds. We’ll just say the group costume choice was Pokémon themed. After a full day in heels and a million plus photos with admiring Pokémon fans, it was time for one last final sprint through the cold for some much-needed sustenance. I can say I have never seen a pack of guys run more quickly in heels than I did that night. Looking forward to the many memories yet to come and wishing the best to the future Mr. and Mrs. Merran!
Stephanie Herrera
Bridesmaid
The first time I truly met Alisa was on Halloween night 2013. We had met in passing before; same high school region, same major, same dorm floor, but the spark of recognition didn’t occur until I came upon her dressed as a Russian mail order bride amongst the crowd of drunken partygoers. (I was a fox :3) She posed for a picture with me before we went our separate ways. Over the rest of our undergrad time I’m so happy to say we became great friends. Alisa was the one who went with me to massive anime conventions in DC and traded date party +1s. She was the one who had my back when my flatmates told me they wanted me to move out the night before our systems bioengineering final. She was one of the few people in Baltimore that I could really, truly be myself around and I’ll always be grateful for that. But who am I? I am a nerdy sorority alum working on her PhD in biomedical engineering in the sunny city of Gainesville, FL. I like to collect orchids, cosplay, and spin fire when I’m not hard at work pipetting. My favorite shows are Clarkson’s farm, Peacemaker, and Star Trek TOS to name a few! I’m so pumped for this wedding and I can’t wait to see everyone there!
Stephen Relyea
Groomsman
I met Jon through his brother Benji while playing video games online. These games were very competitive and nothing brings people together like the spirit of competition! We quickly bonded as we basked in the glory of victory over most other opponents - who cares if they were sometimes only 11 🤣. Over the past few years, we have shared many great memories together including memorial day beach trips, music concerts, cross-dressing for comicon/halloween and random hangouts. However, the memory of Jon that brings the largest smile to my face was his 30th birthday celebration. It was quite the shebang (literally). Alisa in all of her infinite awesomeness planned a surprise party and brought home a bunch of glitter bombs. We decorated, turned out all of the lights and hid. As Jon entered his home he was greeted from all sides with an epic surprise! I remember, quite vividly, flanking from the bathroom and scoring a perfect head shot with a glitter bomb. To this day I have never seen more glitter in an apartment in my life. While this is one of my favorite memories, we will without a doubt be adding to the extensive list as time goes on… and I am sure they will all be filled with great fun and more glitter 😜.
Kathleen Kusworo
Bridesmaid
I met Alisa when we got paired randomly as roommates during sophomore year and were surprised that we 1) are both BMEs, 2) love cats, and 3) get along!! All of our funniest stories involve alcohol, so they might not be appropriate on this platform (LOL). My hobbies/interests include books and movies, and I'm currently consumed by House of the Dragon.
Ricky Shi
Groomsman
Hello, this is Shu. I’ve been friends with Jonathan since moving across the street from him. I cannot believe that it has been around 22 years already. We’ve experienced so much together with the other neighborhood kids, playing both outside in the cul-de-sac, on the golf course—shh! The snow slides were awesome in the winter—and with numerous video games. I remember when I fractured my left arm once when we were biking. Ah! great times. I am glad we got to hang out more when we attended Hopkins at the same time. Overall, Jonathan has always been a reliable friend. The real INTJ type if you are into personality types. Maybe that is why we just get along. He and I loved doing many things together throughout the years and I am happy that he has found someone he truly loves. Alisa, you may have him for now, but we are taking him when a good video game comes along. Congratulations to both of you and have a great life full of fun and adventures!!
Gabi Rodal
Bridesmaid
The first time I really met Alisa was during an *anonymous* all-too-early lecture at Hopkins where we bonded over our shared battle to stay awake through droning voices and dim classrooms. Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to continue down our imaging/BME careers together — learning from her brilliant insights and laughing from her hilarious snark (and occasionally a tasty snack she made from scratch!) Alisa makes almost every moment memorable — but to stay on topic and family-friendly, I’ll share how I still remember sitting down outside with Alisa after a lab lunch to hear about her recent dates with this amazing, sweet guy who shared her love of Pokemon GO. Lo and behold, the cutest couple ever — I’m so incredibly excited to witness their next new beginning as Mr. and Mrs. Merran! Nearly all my hobbies are food-centric and I have a not-so-secret love of trash TV - at the moment, I'm consumed with the World Cup and working through my lingering resentment over Russia knocking out Spain last go-around.
Asher Lewis
Ring Bear(er)
Asher is our sweet baby nephew. He will turn 2 just two days before our wedding. His mom often refers to him as "the cutest baby in all the land" and we agree. He likes seeing dogs in the park, watching Bluey (in French, of course) on his baby iPad, and using mom and dad's bed as an obstacle course. His favorite foods are broccoli and blueberries and his giggle is infectious.
Schnitzel
Spirit Animal
Schnitzel has been in my (Alisa's) life since 2006 when I chose her out a litter of kittens from family friends. According to Russian superstition, it's bad luck to get an animal for free, so we paid 25 cents for her and it has been one of the best investments of my life so far. She's been with me for over half my life - she's loving and fiercely loyal, almost to a fault. She tends to hates everyone else so she has gained the reputation of being a demon cat. However, she gravitated to Jonathan almost immediately and that's when I knew there could be something special. I worry now that she loves him more than me.
Wakko and Yakko
Spirit Animals
Wakko (left) and Yakko (right) are brothers that we adopted together in 2019 following the passing of our first bunny, Bugsy. They're a ram(bun)ctious duo that are obsessed with bananas and remodeling our apartment. They aren't the most affectionate pair, but we still love them. I think they definitely prefer their mom over their dad.